FILE - This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick. Ticks will be more active than usual early in spring 2023, and that means Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections could spread earlier and in greater numbers than in a typical year. Ticks can transmit multiple diseases that sicken humans, and deer ticks, which spread Lyme, are a day-to-day fact of life in the warm months in New England and the Midwest. (CDC via AP, File)
Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.
FILE - This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick. Ticks will be more active than usual early in spring 2023, and that means Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections could spread earlier and in greater numbers than in a typical year. Ticks can transmit multiple diseases that sicken humans, and deer ticks, which spread Lyme, are a day-to-day fact of life in the warm months in New England and the Midwest. (CDC via AP, File)
aired; July 27, 2026
If you feel like everyone is talking about ticks this summer, you’re not alone. But while reports of tick bites may seem more common, experts say the best approach is to assume tick season is active every year and take precautions whenever you’re outdoors.
On The Spark, Dr. Erika Machtinger, associate professor of entomology and Penn State’s Extension Vector-borne Disease Team lead, joined Emily Struckhoff, extension program specialist with Penn State Extension, to discuss why ticks continue to pose a risk across the Commonwealth and what families need to know to stay safe.
“Tick season is bad every year, and everyone should plan for a bad tick year because we are seeing populations of ticks increase and move into places that we haven’t seen them before,” Machtinger said.
Pennsylvania’s forests, parks and grassy areas provide ideal habitat for several tick species, including the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick.
“The black-legged tick… is the only species in Pennsylvania that can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease,” Struckhoff explained.
While Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne illness, it’s not the only one experts are monitoring.
“One of the newer ones folks may be seeing in the news is Alpha-gal syndrome… it can really have a lot of lifestyle disruptions,” Machtinger said, referring to the allergy that can develop after certain tick bites.
The pair emphasized that prevention is the best defense. Wearing long pants, using insect repellent, treating clothing with permethrin and performing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors can all reduce the risk of tick bites.
“If you’re spending time outdoors… wearing long pants, using insect repellent and doing a tick check can go a long way in helping prevent tick bites,” Struckhoff said.
They also cleared up a few common misconceptions.
“Ticks do not jump. They’re just very, very good crawlers,” Struckhoff said, explaining that ticks climb onto vegetation and latch onto people or animals as they brush by.
Machtinger added that another common myth is that ticks fall from trees.
“They’re not falling out of trees… most of the time when people get ticks around their head or neck, they crawled there,” she saiD.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
